Historical sketch of the Syria mission

HISTORICAL
SKETCH OF THE
SYRIA MISSION

BY THOMAS
LAURIE

Thomas Laurie

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V . BAN

B. 17.4.869

CP002935191

BIBUOTECA NAZtONALE
. CENTRALE - F1RENZE .

CONTENTS.

TUK FIELD,

OBSTACLES, .
PERSECUTIONS.

ARAB CHARACTER,
CIVIL WARS.

CHURCHES ORGANIZED, .
MOVEMENT AT HASBEIYA.

EDUCATION

THE PRESS AND TRANSLATIONS, .

VIEW OF STATIONS,

CHRONOLOGICAL VIEW OP THE MISSION,

3

5

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Li
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is
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APPENDIX :

Sketch of Dn. Mksiiaka of Damascus,

30

EX LIBRIS FAVSTI LASINII

HISTORICAL SKETCH

SYEIA MISSION.

Vx ^'.; REV. THOMAS LAURIE.

VV.„,"

PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

FOR FOREIGN MISBION8.

Ittfe-goik :

JOHN A. GRAY, PRINTER, STEREOTYPER, AND BINDER,

FIBl-PROOF BVILDIilOD,

CORNER OF FRANKFORT AND JACOB STREETS.
1804.

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SKETCH OF THE SYRIA MISSION.

FIELD.

The field of the Syria Mission in one sense may be said to extend from below
Tyre on the south to the region beyond Tripoli on the north, and from the shore
of the Mediterranean to Mount Hermon and tho Bukaa. Formerly it embraced
the whole of Palestine and Northern Syria, as far as Aleppo, together with the
island of Cyprus. But Palestine was given up in 1843 to other missionary
societies. Northern Syria was transferred, in 1855, to the mission in Turkey;
and Cyprus, first made a separate mission in 1839, was joined to the Turkish
mission in 1840, and finally abandoned in 1842.

But this gives by no means a fair view of the extent of the operations of this
mission. Its real field is to be sought in that portion of our race that is to be
reached through the Arabic language, which, as the sacred language of the
Koran, is venerated and studied from Western Africa to the Philippine Islands
over 130° of longitude, and from tho tropic of Capricorn to Tartary, over 70° of
latitude.*

Henry Martyn thus gives the reasons for his translation of the New Testa-
ment into Arabic : M Wo shall begin to preach to Arabia, Syria, Persia, Tar-
tary, part of India and of China, half of Africa, all the southern coast of the
Mediterranean, and one tongue shall suffice for them all." And Dr. Joseph
Tracy, in speaking of our new version of the Bible, of which the New Testa-
ment was published in 1860, says : 41 This gives the Bible in an acceptable form
to all who read the Arabic language, and through them, to all who speak it —
a population numbering at least 120,000,000."t

Viewing the field in this light, it is interesting to see how Providence directed
tho pioneers of the mission to locate it in just that point where the Arabic-
speaking portion of our race has attained tho highest degree of development,
where the body has drunk in vigor from the cool springs and bracing air of
goodly Lebanon, and the mind has learned manliness under the inspiration of
the freedom long maintained in those mountain fastnesses, after it had been
swept away from more accessible regions by the merciless oppression of the
Turk. Here, too, in this home of energetic and thinking men, is the commercial
center of Syria, offering every facility for the diffusion of the truth ; while con-

• McCulloch'i Geographical Dictionary. f Memorial Yolum*, 877.

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HIE SYRIA MISSION.

stant communication with Europe rouses inquiring minds to search into the
causes of the prosperity of nations so much more favored than themselves, and
the healthy atmosphere of Lebanon ofTcrs itself to sustain the vigor of mis-
sionaries sent there from a northern clime.

Our missionaries in Syria have already had several applications for books
from Bombay, and forwarded the issues of their press for the use of Moham-
medans there, while in 1860 the demand for the New Testament by the Copts
in Egypt was greater than they could supply.

The whole population of Syria has been estimated at 1,610,000. Of this,
about 850,000 arc Moslems. This includes both the Sunnites, or followers of
Abu Bckr, who are the orthodox Mohammedans in Turkey, and the Shiites, or
adherents of Ali, who constitute the state sect in Persia, and also about 50,000
Kurds. Besides these, the Nusairiyeh, or Ansairiych, a people whose creed
and modes of worship are unknown, though missionaries and others have
spared no pains to ascertain them, occupy the mountains between Tripoli and
Scanderoon, and number perhaps 150,000. The Ismailiych, Yezidees, and
Nowar or Gypsies, together may amount to 20,000. The Druzes have their
head quarters in Southern Lebanon and across Mount Hermon into the Hauran,
(Auranitis,) and number about 100,000.

As the mission is located in their territory, and has been brought much into
contact with them, they demand a more particular notice. They are the fol-
lowers of the mad Egyptian Caliph Hakim Kamr Illah, and have a strange
cabalistic creed, as yet but partially understood. The sect is divided into two
classes— the "Akkal," or " Initiated," and the " Jchal," or ignorant mass. The
knowledge of their peculiar tenets is confined to the former, who use their
power (and it is great) to draw the rest this way or that, as best suits their
present interests. Hence, on more than one occasion in the history of the
mission, the whole Druze nation has seemed on the point of embracing the
Gospel, because the political interests of their leaders seemed to require such a
demonstration; but as soon as the political end was gained, or there was no
more prospect of its being gained, the seeming interest in the truth vanished as
quickly as it came. Only one of this sect gives good evidence of piety, and is
now a member of the mission church.

It is generally supposed that there are many Jews in Syria, but their whole
number does not exceed 25,000. Of these, 7000 arc in Jerusalem, 5000 in
Damascus, 4000 in Aleppo, 2000 in Safct, 1500 in Tiberias, and the rest prin-
cipally in the larger towns and centers of trade.

Of the Christian sects in Syria, the most influential is the Greek Church, so
called, numbering 150,000. These are Syrians by birth and descent, and
speak the Arabic language ; but are called G reeks, because they belong to the
Eastern or Greek, in distinction from the Western or Latin Church. They are
found in large numbers in the cities, and have two Patriarchs, one at Antioch
and the other at Jerusalem.

The Maronite is the most numerous of the Christian sects, numbering
200,000 ; but as they are chiefly settled in one compact body in northern
Lebanon, their influence is less extensively felt. This sect originated in the
seventh century, and takes its name from Maron, its founder. In the twelfth
century it submitted to the Pope, and has been noted for unhesitating devotion

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OBSTACLES.

6

to Rome. Its liturgy is in Syriac. The priesthood marry ; but their ignorance
and bigotry are proverbial, and until recently their power was almost absolute
over the people.

The Armenians in Syria number some 20,000, and the Jacobites perhaps
15,000. The Papal offshoots from both theso sects, known as the Papal Arme-
nian and the Papal Syrian, together with the Melchites, or Greek Catholics,
who have seceded from the Greek Church, may amount altogether to 70,000.
The Latins are not sufficiently numerous to deserve separate mention ; and
the Protestants, though now few in numbers, are increasing with great rapidity,
by accessions from all the others.

These sects often exist in the same city, as do our several denominations at
home; but they form communities as distinct politically as they are religiously.

If wc view the population territorially, Lebanon has a population of about
400,000 distributed in more than six hundred towns and villages. Of these,
Zahleh is the largest, containing, previous to its destruction in I860, 11,000.
Deir el Komr, the seat of government before the massacre, had about 7000.
Beirut, the sea-port of Damascus, is the largest city on the coast, with a popu-
lation, in and around the walls, of 50,000. This is the head-quarters of the
mission, as it is the commercial center of the country. Tripoli has 15,000 in-
habitants, or including the port, (El Mina,) 20,000, Sidon about 10,000, Tyre
only 3500, and Acre perhaps 5000.

Of cities in the interior, Damascus, up to 1800, has taken the lead, with its
120,000. Aleppo comes next, with 70,000 ; Uamah has 33,000, Horns 25,000,
Antioch 20,000, Jerusalem 18,000, Gaza 16,000, Safet and Ramleh 4000 each,
Bethlehem 8500, and Nazareth about 3000.

The climate of Syria is varied, as much by altitude as by latitude ; for whue
in Beirut snow is seldom known, in Jerusalem it is common. Orange-trees
flourish in the gardens of Tripoli, and further south along the coast ; yet three or
four hours' ride from Beirut in mid winter may bring the traveler into a snow-
storm on Lebanon. Tho native poets say: " Lebanon bears winter on his head,
spring on his shoulders, and autumn in his bosom, while summer lies sleeping
at his feet" Fresh snow covers the summit of Sunnin in November, and dis-
appears in April, though in sheltered nooks it remains all the year round. At
Horns in July the mercury ranges from 70° to 93°, with an average of 80°.
June and August are cooler, September varies 68° to 82°, and in winter the
ground is frozen under several inches of snow. Though at Beirut the thermo-
meter does not rise above 88°, yet the copious evaporation from the sea renders
this very hard to bear. The climate of Syria is generally debilitating, and
where, as at Damascus and some parts of Lebanon, a large surface is under
irrigation, the region is liable to intermittent and other fevers.

OBSTACLES TO THE MISSIONARY WORK IN STRIA.

No one can form a correct idea of this mission without a knowledge of the
peculiar difficulties that have impeded every step of its progress. Its early
history was one long grapple with obstacles that more than once threatened its
destruction ; so that if shut up to only one topic, this would be the most im-
portant to set before the churches that sustain it

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THE SYRIA MISSION

When the mission was first established, a combination of the seTcral difficul-
ties of other fields seemed to constitute a barrier well nigh insurmountable.

The Jews, beside their proverbial bigotry, were dependent on the alms oi
Israelites abroad ; so that the first indication of a leaning toward Christianity
deprived them of their daily bread, and if furnished with employment by the
missionary, then the cry of hireling apostate destroyed their influence for
good.

The Moslems, in addition to the arrogance of a conquering race among the
people they had subjugated, were bound by both creed and ancestral tradition
to persecute the Christian. Then the picture-worship and Mariolatry of those
who went by that name seemed to justify the bitterness of their contempt, to
say nothing of the deplorable state of morals that accompanied such idolatries.
But even should a Moslem overcome all these hindrances to conversion, it
would only be the signal for his instant death, and the same law that denounced
this penalty against him, mado the position of his Christian teacher scarcely
less dangerous.

The nominal Christian was in a position hardly more favorable ; for his
clergy wielded secular as well as ecclesiastical power. They apportioned the
taxes due to the government from their own sect at their pleasure. They pos-
sessed dungeons in which they could torture as well as imprison ; or a word
from them made the servants of the government their jailers and executioners.
If any doubt these statements, let them read the story of Asaad el Shidiak, who
in 1826, for adherence to the word of God, was repeatedly imprisoned and tor-
tured, till walled up alive in the Patriarchal convent of Canobin, (Ccenobium,)
his sufferings were long protracted by the pittance of bread daily handed in
through an opening into that living tomb.*

How far this power availed for evil may bo seen also in the expulsion of Mr.
Bird by force from the village of Ehden, not far from the celebrated grove of
cedars on Lebanon.

Invited to spend the summer with his family in that cool and bracing atmos-
phere by Sheikh Xaami Latuf, he arrived there with his host August 8d, 1827,
and the next day, though protected by an order from the Emir Beshir, the
whole family of the Sheikh was excommunicated for receiving him. The docu-
ment, read at the window, declared that " for receiving that deceiver of men,
Bird, the Bible-man, they are therefore accursed, cut off from all Christian
communion ; and let the curse envelop them like a robe, and spread through all
their members like oil. Yea, break them in pieces like a potter's vessel, and
wither them like the fig-tree cursed by the mouth of the Lord himself. Yea,
let the evil angel rule over them, to torment them, day and night, asleep and
awake, and in whatever circumstances they may be found. We permit no one
to visit them or employ them or do them a favor or give them a salutation or
have intercourse with them in any shape, but let them be avoided as a putrid
member or as hellish dragons. Beware, yea, beware of the wrath of God."t

This was followed in a few moments by a violent onset, in which the Sheikh
was severely wounded, and the arm of one of the females in his family broken ;

• 8e« Mmnolr by Rev. Isaac Bird, Tracy's Hittory of tht American Board, p. 1T8, and Mi+
tlonary ffrrald, lf>60, p. M.
t Tracy't UUtoty of A RC.F.M., p. 19%

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PERSECUTIONS.

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and the next day, which was Sabbath, another letter from the Patriarch com-
manded the people to " persecute the Bible-man from the place, even though it
was necessary to kill him. ''

Twenty-two years after (July 27th, 1849) Rev. D. M. Wilson and family
were driven from the same village through the samo influences, the mob led ou
by the clergy, proceeding even to tear down the house over the heads of the
ladies within.

In June, 1858, the Greek Bishop of Homs gave full permission to his peoplo
to beat such as entered the house of the missionary, but recommended that
they leave life in their victims.

The clergy can at any time forge evidences of debt against those who incur
their displeasure, and obtain any number of witnesses to support such forgeries
by their oaths.

Even so late as 1859 the Papists procured the persecution of the Protestants of
Alma — a small village about twelve miles from Acre and three from the sea-shore
— by their Moslem Governor. He demanded money after their taxes were all
paid ; and when their headman ventured to produce their receipts, sealed with
the Governor's own seal, he was severely beaten and thrust into prison. Two
others were thrown down on the ground, and their backs beaten with staves
till they were livid and swollen, then with chains on their necks and feet, and
their hands fast in wooden stocks, they too were thrust into a dungeon, whenco
they were brought out to undergo a repetition of the same. At length they
managed to flee to Beirut, where the sight of their wounds roused the indig-
nation of the whole council But the only redress they obtained was a deten-
tion of two months, to the utter ruin of their business at home, when they
were compelled to accept the pittance of eighteen dollars, as a compensation for
their wrongs, four dollars of the eighteen being paid to the surgeon who dressed
their wounds.

The interference of the representatives of European governments in aid of
the persecutors of Protestants is another hindrance to the missionary work in
Syria. On the one hand, Jesuit cunning and hatred can employ both French
and Turkish powe* against the humblest peasant who dares to read his Bible ;
and on the other, Russian officials lend the power of Russia to assist the
Greek Church in its efforts to crush the truth ; while no one appears to take
the side of the oppressed and persecuted people. Take an illustration of each
of these statements.

A dog ran out and barked at a Papal teacher as he was passing a Protestant
house in Alma. Enraged by this, he first assembled his scholars and stoned
the house, and then complained to the French Consul at Beirut of frightful
injuries inflicted by the Protestants. The result was, that eighteen horsemen
were sent by the Pasha to drag the criminals to justice ; and five honest men,
who were hard at work in their distant fields while their dog barked, wcro
carried off a three days' journey to Beirut. There they remained ten days,
vainly appealing to be brought to trial ; till, their persecutors finding that
no charge could be brought against them, they were at length informed that
they were free to return to their homes !

Again, through the combined efforts of the Greek Patriarch and the Russian
Consul-General, government drove the Protestants from Hasbeiya. They ap-

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TOE SYRIA MISSION.

pliod for protection to Mr. Wood, the English Consul at Damascus. Officially
he could give them none, but privately he secured permission for them to
return to their homes. But even this private interference could not be allowed,
and the Russian Consul-General wrote to the Pasha of Damascus as follows :
"However I may desire to address your Excellency on this subject in a
friendly manner, I must remind you that I am serving the magnificent Em-
peror of Russia, and that tee hare the right of protecting the Greek Church in
the Ottoman dominions. I should greatly regret if I were compelled to change
my language and protest against every proceeding which may lead to the
humiliation of the Greek Church at Hasbciya and the encouragement of pre-
tended Protestants, especially as the Sublime Porte doe* not recognize among
her subjects such a community?' The matter did not end here. The Emperor
of Russia demanded the dismissal of Mr. Wood ; and, will it be believed, that
the Earl of Aberdeen, instead of supporting him in the defense of a people perse-
cuted because they sought to read the Bible for themselves, and worship God
according to the manner prescribed in the New Testament, actually adminis-
tered a sharp rebuke, and warned him against the repetition of such conduct
in the future ?

Lest any should lay this statement to the score of national prejudice, it is
proper to add that it is given on the authority of the Rev. J. L. Porter, English
missionary to Damascus, an eye-witness to the facts, and a man every way
competent to give his testimony in the case.*

Another hindrance to mi-sionary success in Syria is tho familiarity of the
people with the language of religion while strangers to its power. Religious
forms and expressions abound. The most sacred words and devout phrases
are on the lips of all. Their very salutations contain an amount of holy lan-
guage that is astonishing. If a man meets you in the morning, he says, "May
God make your morning prosperous and the reply is : M May your morning
be blessed." The first then asks, " Flow is your condition — please God, you
are happy?" and the answer comes: "Thank God, I am happy, and how is
your pleasure?" The first then closes with: "May God give you peace."
When a man rises to go, he says, " By your permission I depart," and the
response is, " Go in peace," when the other closes with, " And God give you
peace." Whatever the subject, their every day discourso is in form most
religious, and while piety itself is wanting, such a people must manifestly
be very unimprcssiblc to religious instruction. Good people In America are
often at a loss to understand how there can be so many Christian sects in
Syria, and no religion. But if they will bear in mind the natural character of
the heart, and then consider, that in all the nominal churches of Syria spiritual
instruction is never given— that the doctrines of the Gospel arc never taught—
that piety is made to consist in outward ceremonies, in the observance of days,
and obedience to their priests — that their idea of worship is the repetition of
prayers in an unknown tongut — that the distinction between the regenerate
and unrcgencrate is known only as the difference between the baptized and
unbaptized— that religion is separated from morality— that the priest is held to
have power to pardon sin, and does it for money — that their preaching is either
a teaching of the worst errors of Popery, or incredible and silly legends of

• Xtws of the Church**, Oct. lrt, 1S00, p. 2M.

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ARAB CHARACTER.

9

saints, they will see how the name can exist without the substance. True, of
late there have been apparent improvements in some churches — such as might
make some of the above statements seem severe — but with few exceptions, and
those in connection with missionary labor. It is not a movement of life from
within, but only an effort to put out of sight absurdities too gross to bo toler-
ated any longer. The whole animus of these churches is opposition to spiritual
religion and Bible truth, and nothing but the want of power to do so has pre-
vented their extinguishing every spark of light in Syria. Happily, the power,
unablo to stop the entrance of light at first, becomes weaker in proportion as
that light extends among the people.

The discouraging nature of labor among such a people may, perhaps, be
better understood from the following incident than from any mere description.
In the early history of the Mission, before the Arab character was thoroughly
understood, a poor man came to one of the missionaries in great distress. Ac-
cording to his account, he was in debt a few dollars, and his creditor was about
to cast him into prison till he should pay the whole. So he begged for the loan
of that sum for a few days, offering to give his note and pledging himself to
repay it in the course of a few days. The good missionary, moved with pity,
granted his request ; but months and years passed and no payment was forth-
coming. At length the lender left the mission, and the Arab, who till then
had been very assiduous in his attendance on the instructions of his friend, now
transferred his attentions to Mr. Thomson, and regularly sat among those who
dropped in at family prayer— for it is the custom of the missionaries to throw
their doors open every evening, and after some time devoted to social inter-
course, familiar exposition of Scripture and prayer close the evening. Hap-
pening one day to -be riding with tho late Dr. Smith, our hopeful inquirer
among other matters inquired where his note was. " With me," was tho quiet
reply. "Oh! I beg your pardon a thousand times; I thought Mr. Thomson
had it, and I have been attending family-prayer at his house all this time." It
is hardly necessary to add, that this was the way in which tho man intended
to pay his debt; and Popish methods of prosclytism had led him, no doubt,
to suppose it full as acceptable as any. But when the effort to make sinners
acquainted with Jesus meets daily with such a reception from men at once su-
premely selfish and inimitably cunning, it requires no small degree of faith and
love to persevcro in such labor. And just such has been the constant expe-
rience of missionaries in Syria, save as the grace of God renews the heart.
Such incidents explain how tho growth of Popery is in form and name alone,
the heart and conscience having little to do with it ; while the real influence
of Gospel truth extends much further than the fear of persecution allows to
appear.

In addition to all this, frequent political changes have greatly retarded the
work. To go back no further than 1832. In that year the movements of op-
posing armies and the establishment of the dominion of Mohammed Ali called
off the thoughts of all classes from spiritual things. In 1840 the same dis-
tractions were repeated, when Syria was delivered up again to the inefficient
government of Turkey ; and missionary undertakings that had cost the painful
toil of years were in a moment brought to nothing. Since then corruption and
misgovernment have produced a state of confusion bordering on anarchy, and

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10 THE SYRIA MISSION.

parts of the country have been in actual rebellion, as was Wady el Teim, tho
region around Hasbeiya, from tho summer of 1851 till the summer of 1853.
Civil war has thrice desolated Lebanon itself; onco in 1841, again in 1845, and
last, not least, in 1860. As an intelligent view of the field involves a correct
understanding of these, let us turn aside for a moment and look at

THE CAUSES OF THE CIVIL WARS lit LEBANON.

About the year 1824, the Maronito Emir Bcshir drove out from Lebanon his
Druze rival, the Sheikh Beshir, procured his assassination, and confiscated his
extensive estates. In the Egyptian invasion of 1832, the Druze sheikhs sided
with the Sultan, while the Emir Beshir went over to the invaders. Hence the
former shared in the defeat of the Turks, were heavily taxed, and their men
forced into the army of Ibrahim Pasha. Then came the Druze rebellion in the
Hauran, which was put down so summarily as to rouse theMxab spirit of
revenge to the utmost.

In 1840 European power restored Syria to the Sultan, and tho Druzes of
course recovered their rights and their estates. Their conscripts were released
from the army, while they themselves had been previously armed by England
to defend themselves. These things paved the way to civil war, while the
overturn of the strong government of Ibrahim Pasha, and the banishment of
the energetic Emir Beshir, left an imbecile successor to the same title, totally
unable to control the rival factions, each exasperated by their wrongs.

The Maronites, instead of conciliating tho Druzes, who now controlled tho
largest part of Lebanon, encouraged those of their people who lived in villages
under Druze sheikhs to throw off their authority, while the Patriarch, hoard-
ing for war purposes the money sent by Franco and Austria for the relief of
sufferers in the recent troubles, aimed at the complete control of the Mountain.
He appointed a committee at Deir el Komr, that interfered openly with the
administration of the sheikhs, and, through the Maronite council of the Emir,
every thing was arranged to strip them of their power. It was this turbulent
procedure that necessitated the close of our seminary, then recently opened in
Deir el Komr. And a more marked result was the civil war of 1841, when,
though the Maronites outnumbered the Druzes three to one, they were every
where shamefully defeated ; Deir el Komr, Baabda, and Hadeth taken, and
many of their wealthiest villages destroyed. During all this, the Turks looked
on and did nothing. The Greeks were unmolested, though tho Greek Catholics
were disarmed. The power of the famous Shehab family, to which the Emir
Beshir beloagcd, was thoroughly broken ; and Lebanon, which, strong in their
strength, had long wielded a controlling influence in Syria, was now a prey to
misgovernmcnt at home.

Yet the Shehab family were still numerous, wealthy, and influential The
Maronites were exasperated by defeat Their clergy urged them to another
effort to regain their power ; and as government suffered things to take their
own course, the result was the war of 1845, in which the Maronites were again
beaten and driven out from all southern Lebanon. Most of their towns be-
tween Sidon and the Bukaa (Coelo Syria) were destroyed. About seven thousand
houses were burned — threo thousand of them in tho Mctn alone, which, being
the border district* bore the brunt of the attack. Many flocks were plundered,

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CIVIL WARS.

11

the silk and grain crops destroyed, and even orchards and vineyards wantonly
cut down. The road from Beirut to Damascus now -formed the boundary be-
tween the two parties, though many, encouraged by the sheikhs, returned to
their homes south of that line under Druze jurisdiction.

This state of things continued, with occasional outbreaks, till August 14th,
1859, when a bloody conflict took place at Beit Miri. If the question is asked
why no check was applied, the answer, must be, Government was content to
have the parties weaken on* another, that both might fall the easier prey to its
rapacity. The Papal clergy threw no hindrance in the way of events ; that,
they hoped, would work out defeat for the Druzes and the expulsion of Pro-
testant missionaries from Lebanon. In 1841 the Maronite Patriarch went so
far as to procure a demand from the Sultan to our ambassador for their
removal. Papal representatives of European powers were inactive for like
reasons ; and while the way was thus kept open for mischief, unexpected
events in other lands gave a new impulse to its progress. Reports of the
mutiny in India fanned the smoldering embers of Moslem fanaticism, and
the outbreak at Jiddah added fuel to the flame.

On the 27th of May, 1860, the Pasha of Beirut encamped north of Hadeth,
ostensibly to check the approach of the Maronitcs from Kcsrawan, but suffered
six hundred of them to march past him to Baabda. On the 29th, war began
at Beit Miri, which before night was in flames. Like a signal fire, this roused
all Lebanon. Forty or fifty villages were burned, and thousands of families
lost their all. Jezzin and the Maronite villages in that region were destroyed,
and the fugitives, pursued to Sidon, found the gates shut on them, while Mos-
lems and Turkish soldiers camo out to help the Druzes in the work of slaugh-
ter. About one thousand thus perished. Every church and convent was
plundered from Jezzin to Sidon, the priests and monks murdered wherever
found, and the Maronitcs driven with great slaughter beyond the Nahr el Kelb,
(Ancient Lycus.) Hasbeiya was attacked June 2d, and the Christians received
into the castle ostensibly for protection, were first disarmed, then the gates
were thrown open to the Druzes, who rushed in on the 11th and butchered
more than one thousand helpless and defenseless victims. One of them, Shahin
Abu Barakat, a member of our church there, after exhorting his fellow-suf-
ferers to commit themselves to Christ, sank under the Druze axes while on his
knees in prayer. Twenty-six villages in the vicinity were burned, and the
whole province laid desolate. At Rashaiya tho Christians were promised
safety on condition they gave up their arms, and the same night their houses
were burned, and out of one hundred and thirty men only two escaped. A
rumor prevailed that government sought to exterminate the Christians, and
Merj Aiyun was burned by the Metawelies of the Bukaa. June 18th, Zahlch,
the largest town in Lebanon, was sacked and destroyed ; even the heaps of
unwinnowed grain on the threshing-floors in the fields were committed to the
flames. Dcir el Komr was destroyed June 21st, one hundred and fifty houses
laid in ashes, and the male inhabitants put to the sword. Tho most dreadful
carnage of all commenced at Damascus July 9th, and raged without cessation
till the 14th. Moslems were the leaders in this work of blood, aided by the
Turkish soldiers. All classes joined in it, the rich and poor, the mob and the
police. Not one Christian house was left standing in Damascus. Not ieaa

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THE SYRIA MISSION.

than five thousand were killed, and many more badly wounded ; hundreds of
females were carried off into captivity, and not even Frank officials were spared.
Every consulate, except the English and Russian, was burned. The Dutch
Consular Agent was killed, and the American Vice-Consul severely wounded.
Rev. Mr. Graham, an English missionary, was butchered in the street while
fleeing to a place of safety.*

This was the last, as it certainly was the bloodiest, scene in the tragedy, but
not the end of misery. The harvest was cither unreaped or destroyed. The
trees in many places were cut down. The fugitives were crowded together in
strange cities, without money or employment, and famine threatened the
wretched widows, who had escaped with their aged mothers, and still more
helpless daughters, for the male children had mostly shared in the bloody fate
of their fathers. Notwithstanding generous aid from abroad, sickness caused
by privation numbered more victims than the sword.

Yet, dark as this picture is, it was not all darkness. Though a few Protest-
ants fell at Hasbeiya, yet in all Lebanon not one of them was injured, either in
person or in property. Mr. Bird was absent from Deir el Komr on the day of
the massacre, yet though his family were defenseless, not a hair of their head
was harmed ; and remuneration was promptly offered for a school-house that
had been burned by mistake. Our premises at Abeih were first the depository
for the valuables of the Maronites, and afterward of the Druzcs, and in both
cases not an article was touched, though no guard was kept, and we had no
power to avenge an injury. Other families reached Beirut, in safety ; and Mr.
Calhoun remained at his post unmolested through the war.

The direct results of this war on our operations were doubtless injurious.
Some stations were broken up for a time. Many hearts were hardened by suf-
fering, and immorality increased through the homeless poverty of many ex-
posed to temptation. But tho general result shows much that calls for grati-
tude. The power of the clergy that martyred Asaad El Shidiak, and formed
the greatest hindrance to the progress of the truth, weakened by previous wars,
in this received its death-blow. The people remembered that their priests
urged them to it. It is a significant fact, that after the war, the Governor of
Kesrawan absolutely forbade the clergy, from the patriarch down to the par-
ish-priest, to interfere any further in political affairs ; and shorn of their
dreaded political power, they are now weak as other men. Indeed, when since
that time, they offered to allow the eating of meat during Lent, for the pay-
ment of about four cents a day, many said at once, if the act be wrong in it-
self, the payment of money can not make it right, and so refused both fast and
payment.

Again, the war brought missionaries into more extensive and favorable inter-
course with the people than ever before. At different times, as many as
75,000 persons in all, were fed daily from their hands. At one time, 2500
were fed in Beirfit, by native members of our church ; 60,000 piastres, ($2400,)
contributed in England and America, were distributed every week by the mis-

• TWlrflt narrowly escaped similar scene* at a later .Into. The flans of the fanatical Moslems were all
formed. The housed even were marked that were Ui he pa«scd over that niplit in the general carnage.
But the vigorous measures of Ismael Pasha, a native of Hungary, foiled the conspirators and prevented

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CHU

13

sionaries ; Dr. Thomson having charge of the clothing, bedding, etc. ; Dr. Van
Dyck devoting his time to the sick ; and Mr. Jessup dealing out daily bread to
the starving multitudes. Beside all this at Beirut, Mr. Lyons visited the vicin-
ity of Baalbek, on the same errand ; and Mr. Eddy ministered to the thousands
who had fled to Tyre for refuge. Yet, out of 15,000 widows, there were only
twenty Protestants. Such a refutation of the slanders, by which the clergy
had sought for more than forty years to fence out the missionaries from the
people, could not but produce a reaction in favor of the truth. During some
months there was daily preaching at Beirut. Ain Zchalty, a Greek village high
up on Lebanon, in the district of Arkub, is now Protestant, its ruler a member
of the church ; and is the only instance in Syria, where an ancient church,
purged of pictures and altar, is devoted to the preaching of the truth as it is in
Jesus.

In all the trials of this mission, though sickness and other causes have con-
strained some to return home, the missionaries generally have stood at their
posts, and sought to bear up the courage of the churches, on the wings of their
own faith.

Amid the discouragements of 1841 and 1842, the lamented Dr. Eli Smith,
though his mind was never free from anxiety respecting the prospects of the
mission, yet pleaded against its being abandoned by the churches, and was
content to do good by piece-meal, as opportunity offered, assured that all the
preparatory labor then performed would one day yield abundant fruit.

In 1846, the mission wrote : 44 Our history presents so many instances of
most marked divine interposition, in behalf of the mission, that it would indi-
cate feeble faith indeed, if we should be greatly cast down by present difficul-
ties." And in 1861, while the waves of the storm of I860 were still raging, a
beloved brother still at his post writes : 44 To the question, Are you discour-
aged ? we answer, No. The walls of Jerusalem were built in troublous
times. Storm and tempest are as needful as the dew and sunshine. We may
seo darker times than ever, and we may see lighter ; but light or dark, our
duty is plain. We are to hold on till tho Divine hand itself loosens our hold ,
we may and ought to walk in tho light of God." The mission in Syria now
stands on higher vantage-ground than over before ; and those 44 who are alive
and remain " there, now begin to realize the truth, that they who sow in tears
shall reap in joy.

CHURCHES.

Soon after their establishment in Syria, the missionaries organized a church
among themselves, into which they received such natives as from time to time
gave evidence of piety. The number of these, however, for some years was
very smalL

In 1889, the Arabic preaching, till then conducted in the mission-house, was
removed to a chapel, expressly devoted to that purpose. February 9th, 1848,
the native brethren, stimulated by the example of the Armenian converts in Con-
stantinople, presented a petition and plan for organization to the mission. Cer-
tain modifications were suggested, 44 in order that their organization might not ma-
terially differ from that already recognized in other parts of the empire." The
only important difference is in the following article : 44 When the Evangelical

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THE SYRIA MISSION.

churches in Syria become three or more in number, the cases of disagreement
in the particular churches shall be referred to a regular council of the ciders and
delegates of the other sister churches, each church choosing one delegate, and
the decision of such council shall be final."* The Armenian plan provided for
a permanent body, composed of " the elders and delegates of the associated
churches," for similar action in ecclesiastical affairs, but did not specify when it
should be formed.

The church in Beirut then constituted, was organized with nineteen mem-
bers. Other churches have since been formed as follows :

1851, July 15, at ilasbeiya, of sixteen members.

1852, June 18, at Aleppo, of six members.
1852, September 15, at Abeih, of eight members.
1856, June, at Sidon, of seven members.

The number belonging to these churches, at the close of 1860, was 117;
whole number from the beginning, 153. It may give some idea of recent pro-
gress to state, that while in 1835 only 50 souls attended preaching at two
places, and in 1847 no more than 90 could be counted at three places, in I860,
sixteen places for regular preaching had an aggregate attendance of 550 hear-
ers. At the principal places, there are two regular services on the Sabbath,
besides an expository service, or in some places a Sabbath-school. Singing has
been successfully introduced in connection with the Arabic hymn-book, con-
taining 108 hymns. Beside the Sabbath services, a prayer-meeting or meet-
ings are sustained during the week.

HASBEIYA.

No sketch of the Syria mission could be complete that did not give an
account of the remarkable movement at this place.

Wady el Teim lies between a low range of hills that separates it from tbo
Bukaa on the west, and the lofty sides of Jebcl csh Sheikh on the cast, rising to
the hight of 10,000 feet above the sea. These eastern slopes arc thickly in-
habited, and terraced like the western declivities of Lebanon. The valley is
divided into two provinces, and in the lower of these, overhanging a narrow
glen that joins the main valley, where the large fountain of the Hasbany com-
mences the river Jordan, stands the town of Ilasbeiya. It is a hot place, al-
most shut in by high hills, and before the massacre contained 6000 inhabitants,
mostly Greeks and Druzcs, though there are some Maronites and a few Moslems
and Greek Catholics. The Wady is governed by emirs of the Shehab family,
who received it as a reward for their deeds of valor in the time of Saladin. Yet,
though their tenure is so ancient, it holds good only as it is renewed from time
to time by the Pasha of Damascus. The Druzc Sheikhs of the house of Shems
constitute the ancient hereditary nobility, though they arc giving place to the
later but more vigorous house of Keis.

The whole region is noted for the rude energy and independence of its in-
habitants, that too often degenerates into lawlessness. Yet this same wild force
of character led the llasbeiyans, as far back as 1820, to offer a house to the

* For Petition, Constitution, and Discipline In full, see iTUxionary ITtraUl, 1S49, pp. 266-270. For
ConfcMion of Faith and CoTenant, ice MUfionary JJerald, lSlfi, pp. 318 and 81».

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HASBEIYA.

15

mission for a school among them. And the Missionary Herald for 1851, page
369, gives an interesting account of the result of the bread cast on the waters
so long ago. Yet up to 1844 no missionary had visited Hasbeiya, though our
books had found their way there, and some of the people had visited Mr. Whit-
ing at Jerusalem.

February 25, 1844, the Sabbath congregation in our chapel at Beirut was
unexpectedly enlarged by the presence of fifty Hasbeiyans, who made an urgent
appeal for religious teachers. Like most movements of the kind in Syria, it
was found that this had a great deal to do with secular ends ; so the mission-
aries were very careful to set forth their disconnection with the things of Caesar
and their want of influence in political affairs; also, that the change they sought
to effect was not from one sect to another, but from sin to God. Finding,
moreover, that they had not paid their taxes, they advised them to go home and
pay them, cultivate the good will of the town, and if then they still wished in-
struction, to let them know and they should have it This they did, hardly
expecting to hear from them again. But tho men did as they had been ad-
vised, and soon sent a letter claiming from the missionaries the fulfillment of
their promise. As some delay occurred, another delegation was promptly on
hand to press the request, and the teachers previously appointed set off at once,
charged to confine themselves strictly to spiritual instruction. This they did
faithfully, and the drunkard soon forsook his cups, the knave became an honest
man, the profane ceased to swear, and the name Protestant became synony-
mous with all that was trustworthy and commendable. The Bible and the
Shorter Catechism were constantly studied to know what to believe concerning
God, and what duty God requires of man. "When two of the missionaries
visited the place in May, though they found the rest of Hasbeiya spending tho
Sabbath in sending a delegation to Beirut to seek relief from a Kurdish Aga
who had overbidden their own emir and was about to assume his place, yet the
Protestants quietly attended to the duties of the day, and would have nothing
to do with politics till Monday. It was interesting to see this regard for the
Sabbath among them, and also to find the rest deferring to send off the dele-
gation till the Protestants could join them. Thus the arm of persecution was
held back till the Bible men could learn the truth that would enable them to
bear it when it came.

One of their greatest difficulties was to understand tho spiritual nature of
the Church. They could not see how, having all come to the Lord's table in
the Greek Church, now that they knew more and lived more correctly, they
should be excluded from it, and to have the rite of baptism withheld from their
children, was, in their view, to be without religion altogether. Their enemies
also, made it an occasion for reproach and reviling. Yet, after a full exposition
of the matter by Dr. Smith on July 4th, the next day 82 men and 104 women
and children were publicly enrolled as Protestants. Now came the trial of their
sincerity. Tilings had advanced so far that the enemies of the truth could en-
dure it no longer. They threatened the life of our native helper, and the
turbulent zealots of Zahleh avowed their purpose to put down the movement
by forco of arms. Instantly, without the least suggestion from others, 70 men
solemnly signed a written covenant to stand by each other in defense of the
truth even unto death.

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TIIE SYRIA MISSION.

Meanwhile, a school had been established, and encouraging progress was
made not only in learning, but in bringing children hitherto as wild as untamed
colts, into something like habits of order and propriety.

A "Young Men's Party," originally formed to resist the oppression of their
governors, now bent its energies to persecute the friends of the Bible, and so
far got the reins into its own hands, as to compel the Emir to depose the Kadi
and appoint one of their own number in his place, and then agree not to punish
any of them unless convicted by him. Besides all this, they made him promise
to banish the leader of the Protestants, and themselves sent him a written
order to leave the town on pain of death if he refused. With such a powerful
party arrayed against them, a court ready to do its bidding, and a governor
who had thus abandoned his power to punish evil-doers, any injury might be
inflicted on them with impunity, for they lay completely at the mercy of their
foes. So the men fled to Abeih at the end of July, leaving their families be-
hind, and remained there till October, when a new governor was appointed,
more disposed to do his duty. But the Greek Patriarch came to Ilasbeiya on
the day of their return, ostensibly to quiet his own people, but really to force
them back into the Greek communion. Thus things continued for some time,
the truth still being preached ; but its adherents sensibly diminished. Still tho
enemy did not rest till the good governor was set aaidc for another more in ac-
cordance with their wishes. Then on two successive Sabbaths the Bible men
were stoned in the streets and our native helper seriously wounded, while the
new Governor looked on with a faint show of resistance that only emboldened
evil-doers, as ho intended that it should, till the native preacher was driven
from tho place, and some of the Protestants again fled to Lebanon. Others,
wearied with persecutions to which they could see no end, complied so far with
the demands of the Patriarch, as to visit tho Greek Church, though they took
no part in the services, and openly spoke against its idolatries. This very par-
tial compliance relieved them from persecution, but inwardly made them more
firmly opposed to an organization that stooped to such measures to retain its
adherents.

Thus tho leaven wrought in secret, till in February, 1846, the visits of the
missionaries were again resumed, and though their congregations were smaller,
yet they were more encouraging, for now they were mainly made up of those
who sought to know the way of life, while the people of the town, softened by
the war of 1845, were not disposed as before to persecute. Still, opposition to
the truth had not ceased, for wo hear of one mother, whose drunken son had
attended tho meetings and left off his evil habits, telling him to return to his
cups rather than be classed among the Bible men.

In the spring of 1847, the Protestants sent one of their number to lay their
grievances before the Sultan, and without the aid of any ambassador, received
a strong order to the Pasha of Damascus for their protection. The spirit of
the people at this time is thus described by their missionary. " They like to
hear a good, long exposition, and then stay to hear and converse after prayer
as long as we are able to sit up. They come in at all times during the day, so
that we scarcely ceaso teaching and preaching from morning till bedtime." Per-
secution was now revived more to deter others from joining them than from
any hope of turning them ; and they, unable to meet in the daytime, met

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EDUCATION. 17

secretly for prayer at midnight. One of the firmest of them all, after being
fined and scourged, was shut up in prison, and a friend found him late at night
very happy in repeating over passages of Scripture and in prayer.

In the month of February, 1848, religious toleration triumphed, so far as the
Turkish government was concerned ; but as soon as the Patriarch saw that he
could no longer rely on the secular arm, he tried the effect of his dreaded
anathema, which was read against them in all the churches round about, (see
case of Mr. Bird at Ehden, page 6, for specimen of sentence of excommunication,)
denouncing a like fate against all who should have the least intercourse with them
in any way. This reduced them, especially those among them who were poor,
for a while to the greatest distress ; yet, with only one exception, their faith
did not fail, and soon, through their steadfastness, they obtained entire religi-
ous liberty, for the people could not be persuaded to continue to treat as ac-
cursed men whose good behavior was known and read of all. Thus they
dwelt together in love with one another, their greatest enemies constrained to
be at peace with them, till the organization of their church July 5, 1852. For
a delightful picture of Hasbeiyan piety at this period, which we would gladly
copy had we room for it, see Mitsionary Herald, 1852, page 34. John
Wortabet now came and preached among them with great acceptance ; yet at
this time and for nearly two years, the whole region was a prey to anarchy ;
society was disorganized, the roads were infested by robbers ; bands of Druzcs
and Arabs ranged over mountain and plain, and plundered at their pleasure.
The town itself was several times in their hands, and men could meet for
worship only as they carried their guns, ready at any moment for instant
service.

The Druzc sheikhs, moreover, got into a quarrel with the British Consul at
Damascus, on matters entirely distinct from religion ; yet, as he was a Protest-
ant, they vented their rage on tho little flock at Hasbeiya. Dissensions also
broke out among themselves ; but in tho midst of all this, several cases of dis-
cipline were carried through wisely, firmly and with good success, without any
help from the missionaries. They made their preparations, too, to build a
church, which was completed in 1854, at their own expense, with rooms be-
neath for schools and prayer-meetings, besides sending $28 in 1858 to aid in
tho circulation of Bibles in China, And so they continued the comparatively
even tenor of their way, the Gospel making rapid progress in the region round
about them, till the massacre in 1860, when their beautiful church was burned,
though the walls remain. Two of the members were killed, one as already de-
scribed, and the other a poor leper, whom Christ had chosen to be a temple of
the Holy Ghost. Five or six others perished, making some seven or eight in
all. The Christian population of Hasbeiya has not yet returned, but there is
every reason to believe that the Master permitted that night of weeping only to
prepare the way for a morning of greater joy, that the first rude structure is
taken out of the way only to make room for a more glorious building, that shall
rise hereafter to his praise.

EDUCATION.

In 1824 Tannus el Haddad was employed to teach a school in Beirut, and
ever since the mission has had more or less free-schools under its care. In
1835 it bad 10 schools, with 825 pupils, 85 of them girls ; in 1345 it had 12

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TITE SYRIA MISSION,

schools, with 600 pupils, 1S2 of them girls; and in 1865, 25 schools, with 836
pupils, 173 of them girls. The highest number of schools was in 1859, when
there were 33. The largest number of pupils was 1065, in 1858. These
schools have been constantly increasing in value as the standard of education
has been raised, and pious teachers have been employed in their instruction.
The largest number of such was 14, in the year 1859 ; the average for the twelve
previous years was nearly 7.

In 1836 a high-school was established at Beirut. The course of study was
extensive, embracing the Arabic and English languages, geography and astro-
nomy, civil and ecclesiastical history, natural and moral philosophy, mathe-
matics, rhetoric, natural theology, and the Bible. The number of pupils rose
as high as forty-four, and its prospects were flattering; but their knowledge of
English rendered the pupils so useful to the English officers in Beirut, in 1840,
that they became completely demoralized, and the school was given up.

Another seminary was commenced in 1848, on a purely missionary basis ;
the English language was excluded, and the course of study adapted to qualify
the students for usefulness among their own people. The Bible occupied a
very prominent place, as said the principal in 1859: "To the Scriptures we
give increased attention. The Bihlo is doing more to unfold and expand the
intellectual powers, and to create careful and honest thinkers, than all the
sciences wo teaeh, and at the same time it is the chief instrument in ridding
mind and heart of those hateful doctrines and traditions which are the inherit-
ance of these sons of the Church." The regular course occupies four years ;
but there is generally an additional class, composed of pious men more ad-
vanced in life, who pursue a shorter course, more exclusively Biblical and theo-
logical. This institution thus far has been a most efficient auxiliary in the
missionary work, and has enjoyed such refreshings from on high as make its
teachers feel that their labors arc not unapproved of God.

The mission had long endeavored to do something for the education of
females in Syria. But the first schools for girls were opened in 1835; one of
twenty-five pupils by Mrs. S. L. Smith in Beirut, assisted by Mrs. Gregory
Wortabct, and a smaller one in Aaleih by Mrs. Dodge.

Mrs. S. L Smith first, and then Mrs. Whiting and Mrs. De Forest afterward,
received a number of young ladies into their families for education ; and in
1849 the family school of the latter expanded into a flourishing female seminary
of seventeen pupils, which was carried on by Dr. and Mrs. De Forest till failing
health compelled their return to America in 1854. It was then suspended, for
want of teachers, till reopened in October, 1856, under the charge of Miss
Sarah Cheney. It has continued to flourish under the able superintendence of
Miss Amelia C. Temple, assisted by Miss A. L. Mason, though just now it is
temporarily suspendod through the pressure of the times.

THE PRESS.

Until 1835 the printing for this mission was done in Malta; and not much
was done in Beirtit until Dr. Eli Smith, who had the superintendence of this
department, introduced in 1841 a new and beautiful form of Arabic type. To
prepare this, he first made a collection of the most perfect specimens of Arabic
caligraphy ; from among these he selected those most approved by their best

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THE PRESS.

19

scholars. Mr. Homan Ilallock, then in Smyrna, made the punches, and drove
the matrices, which were afterward finished by the celebrated Tauchnitz, of
Lcipsic ; and the result is a type incomparably superior to any known before,
and which secures tho unqualified admiration of every intelligent native.

Mr. George C. Hurler began his labors as printer, with the new type, in
April, 1841. In 1851 the printing establishment consisted only of one hand-
press and two fonts of Arabic type, with a less amount of English, in connec-
tion with a foundry and bindery. In 1853 a power cylinder-press was added,
with another font of Arabic type. In 1858 a fourth font was added, adapted
to the printing of commentaries on the Bible.

Up to 1852 the whole number of pages printed was about 80,000,000, and
since then about 33,000,000 more. In I860, 8006 books and tracts were issued,
beside 4293 volumes of Scripture, or portions of Scripture, from the depository.

Among the forty-four different works that have been issued, two are on Arabic ■
grammar. One of them, that has gone through two editions, was written by
Nascef el Yazigeo, who had long been in the employ of the Mission. Two
editions of an arithmetic, by Butrus el Bistany, a native helper ; an algebra and
geography, by Dr. Van Dyck.

Among the translations are a volume of extracts from Chrysostom on the
study of tho Scripture, Thomas a Kcmpis, Ncvins on Popery, Pilgrim? a Pro-
gress, the Shorter Catechism, and Alexander's Evidences of Christianity.

Of original works may be mentioned Dr. Eli Smith on the Office and Work of
the Spirit, 256 pp. 1843. Mr. Bird's letters on the controversy with Rome,
467 pp. 2d ed. 1849. Work by Dr. Michael Meshakah, of Damascus, of a
kindred character, 324 pp. 1849, since reprinted with additions. Another,
called Answer of the Bible-Men to the Friends of Tradition, 115 pp. 1852, and
a third called out by the reply of the Patriarch Maximus to tho former, 128
pp. 1854. Also a treatise on Skepticism, by the same author (See Bib. Sacra,
October, 1858.) An Arabic hymn-book, 186 pp. 1857, and a Companion to tho
Bible, by Mr. Calhoun, for the use of the Seminary, pp. 185.

But in this connection the new translation of the Bible especially claims our
notice. The version hitherto circulated by the British and Foreign Bible
Society was a reprint of the Propaganda edition of 1671, which again was an
ancient translation, revised by a Maronite bishop of Damascus, during the
Pontificate of Urban the Eighth. It is a servile imitation of the Vulgate. The
rendering of the historical parts is intelligible, but the meaning of the Epistles
is often obscure, and their doctrinal arguments robbed of almost all their force.
Much of the prophetical and practical parts of the Old Testament is either un-
meaning or in bad taste, and the whole version is neither classical nor gram-
matical. The missionaries could not put it into the hands of literary natives
without an apology for its awkwardness and errors, and some of them never
read it in public without previous revision.

Such being the version selected from among all others as the best, a new
translation was imperatively needed, and it was with this end in view that Dr. /
Smith devoted himself with such zeal to tho improvement of Arabic printing. I
Besides this, he procured the best philological helps, both printed and in manu-
script, from Europe and the East. The most competent native assistants were
engaged, and in 1848 his preparation was complete. He carried on tho work

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THE SYRIA MISSION.

with the most laborious diligence, and at his decease, in 1857, had got nearly
ready for the press the New Testament and the Pentateuch ; and he left in
much the same condition the first seven of the minor Prophets, namely,
Ho sea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, and Nahum. Isaiah was revised
to the end of the fifty-second chapter ; but so scrupulous was ho in his regard
for accuracy, that he withheld his sanction from all but the books of Genesis
and Exodus and the first ten chapters of Matthew. He doubtless laid the
foundation of one of the best versions of tho Scriptures in any language, and
since his death Dr. Van Dyck has carried on the work in the same spirit. Tho
New Testament was published early in 1860, and the Old Testament is now
rapidly approaching completion. It is some evidence of the acceptableness of
the work that, as soon as it was published, notwithstanding the war, 4293
copies of the New Testament were immediately sold for 18,395 piastres, a
striking contrast to 448 copies sold the year before. Tho pocket-edition was
exhausted, and a demand made for 1500 more copies than could be supplied.
It is a further proof of the excellence of the work that a great part of this de-
mand was from Egypt The British and Foreign Bible Society had previously
applied for permission to adopt and print it instead of their former issue. It
1 was published at the expense of the American Bible Society.

Dr. Van Dyck is also publishing an edition of the New Testament suitable !
for Mohammedans, being written with vowels, in the same style as their Koran,
and it is hoped that an edition will soon be issued in large type, for the use of [
those whose eyes will not permit them to read the smaller editions.

As this translation brings the word of God, in an intelligible and acceptable
form, to so many millions of our race, ought not special prayer to be offered
that it may be used by the Holy Spirit to give them the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ ?

TBESENT VIEW OT STATIONS.

In the year 1860 the Syria Mission had seven stations and eleven out-stations,
with ten ordained missionaries, one of them also a physician, one printer, and
thirteen females, two of them teachers, being in all twenty-four Americans.

Of natives connected with the Mission, there were five native preachers,
nineteen teachers, and five other helpers, being in all twenty-nine natives.

Beirut. Station commenced in 1823. Population 70,000. Missionaries:
Wm. M. Thomson, D.D., C. V. A. Van Dyck, M.D. ; Mrs. Maria Thomson,
Mrs. Julia A. Van Dyck. George 0. Hurter, printer. Mrs. Elizabeth Hurter.
One native preacher, three teachers, and one helper. Church thirty-four
members. Printing establishment.

Abeih. Commenced in 1848. Population 800. Missionary: Simeon H.
Calhoun ; Mrs. Emily P. Calhoun. One native teacher and preacher. Out-sta-
tion : Aramon. Seminary, fifteen pupils. Church, twenty -six members.

Tripoli. Commenced in 1848. Population 18,000. Missionary: Henry
H. Jessup ; Mrs. Caroline Jessup. One teacher.

Sidok. Made a station in 1851. Population 10,000. Missionaries: J. Ed-
wards Ford ; Mrs. Mary E. Ford ; J. Lorenzo Lyons and Mrs. Catharine N.
Lyons ; Wm. W. Eddy and Mrs. Hannah M. Eddy, now in this country.

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CHRONOLOGICAL VIEW.

21

Three native preachers, four teachers, and one other helper. Out-stations :
Cana, Alma, 'Tyre, Hasbeiya, Rashaiya, lbl y Kheiyam, Deir Mimas. Churches
at Sidon and Hasbeiya with about fifty members.

Hons. 1855. Population 25,000. One native helper.

Deir el Komr. 1855. Population, (before the massacre,) 7000. Mission-
ary : Wm. Bird; Mrs. Sarah F. Bird, now in this country. One native
preacher, five teachers, and one helper. Out-station : Ain Zehalty.

Suk el GhOrb. 1858. Population, 400. Missionary: Daniel Bliss; Mrs.
Abby Maria Bliss. Teachers of Female Seminary : Miss Amelia 0. Temple,
Miss Adelaide L. Mason. Five native teachers and one helper. Female Semi-
nary. Out-station : Deir Kobil.

<E&r0tt<rto0iral fbtt of the £yrto ptoian.

1819.

Oct 31. Instructions given to Roy. Pliny Fisk and Rev. Levi Parsons, at tho

Old South Church, Boston.
Nov. 3. They sailed from Boston. Arrived at Malta, Dec. 28.

1820.

Jan. 14. They arrived at Smyrna.

Feb. 7. First monthly concert in Turkey.

May 1. Went to Scio, remaining there till October.

Nov. Tour among the Seven Churches of Asia.

Dec. 6. Mr. Parsons sailed for Syria.

1821.

This year, Mr. Fisk remained at Smyrna as British chaplain.
Feb. 10. Mr. Parsons arrived at Joppa. 17th, reached Jerusalem.
May 8. Left for Smyrna, and arrived Dec 3, having been detained by war,
and by sickness at Syra.

1822.

Jan. 9. Messrs. Fisk and Parsons sailed for Alexandria. Arrived there on
the 14th.

Feb. 10. Rev. Levi Parsons died at Alexandria.

Mar. 10. Mr. Fisk left Cairo for Malta, reaching there April 18.

Oct 1. Rev. Jonas King left Paris for Malta. Arrived Nov. 8.

1823.

Jan. 8. Messrs. Fisk and King left for Alexandria. Arrived thereon the 10th.
Jan. 22. Rev. William Goodell and Rev. Isaac Bird, with Mrs. Abigail P.

Goodell and Mrs. Ann P. Bird, arrived at Malta.
April 7. Messrs. Fisk and King left Cairo, and arrived at Jerusalem on the 25th.
Jan 27. Left for Mount Lebanon. At Beirut July 10.

Mr. Fisk spent the summer at Aintura, and then returned to Jerusalem.
Mr. King resided at Deir el Komr, and returned to Beirut Nov. 18.
Oct 24. Messrs. Goodell and Bird left Malta. Arrived at Beirut Nov. 16.

1824.

Jan. Mr. Bird joined Mr. Fisk at Jerusalem, and
Feb. 20. Both were arrested at the instigation of the Papists.
Feb. The same influence led the Sultan to forbid the circulation of the
Bible in Turkey, while the Maronites and Syrian Patriarchs ana-
thematized all Bible-readers.

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22 THE SYRIA MISSION.

April. Messrs. King and Fisk left Jaffa on a tour, visiting Damascus.

Aleppo, Antioch, etc., and returned to Beirut by the middle of
November.

June. Mr. Goodell went to Sidon to study Armeno-Turkish with Bishop
Abgarius, (Yakob Agaj and became acquainted with Bishop Dio-
nysius, (Carabet.)

July. Tannus el Haddad employed as teacher. His school in December
had 60 pupils.

1825.

Jan. 29. Messrs. Fisk and King at Jaffa. March 29 to May 8, in Jerusalem.
Sept 26. Mr. King left Syria, after spending the summer at Beirut and Deir

el Komr, and writing his famous farewell letter.
Oct. 28. Rev. Pliny Fisk died at Beirut

1826.

This year noted for violent opposition by the Papists, who sent to
Syria 20 priests and $13,000. Yakob Aga was removed from his
office of Consular Agent by the Ambassador at Constantinople.
Asaadel Shidiak was imprisoned, scourged, tortured, and at length
put to death by the Maronite Patriarch, in the convent at Canobin.
The schools in Beirut diminished from 100 pupils to 10.
March. Mr. Goodell' s house plundered by the Arabs.

May. 23. Rev. Eli Smith sailed from Boston. At Malta, July 18. Left for
Egypt Dec, 2. A school was opened this summer at Hasbciya,
where the Greeks and Moslems offered to provide a school-house.

1827.

Jan. 2. Carabet, Gregory Wortabet, and Mrs. Abbott, (Mrs. W. M. Thomson,)

received into the church at Beirut
Jan. 14. Decree of excommunication of Bible-men by Maronite Patriarch read

in Beirut.

Jan. 30. Mr. Smith left Alexandria, and arrived at Beirut, Feb. 19.
Feb. Wives of Carabet and Wortabet received into the church.

May. 2. The missionaries, on account of the difficulty of access to the people, and
the imminent danger of war between Turkey and England, left for
Malta, with Yakob Aga and Carabet Arrived there on the 29th.

1829.

Missionaries labored at Malta in connection with the press.
Apr.-Aug. Spent by Mr. Bird in exploring the Barbary States.

Jan. 21. Rev. Geo. B. Whiting and Mrs. Matilda S. Whiting sailed from Boston.
At Malta Feb 27.

Mar. 7. Mr. Smith with Mr. Dwight left to explore Northern Turkey, and

parts of Russia and Persia.
May 1. Messrs. Bird and Whiting, and families, sailed forBeirftt.

1831.

June 9. Mr. Goodell and family arrived in Constantinople.
July 2. Mr. Smith returned to Malta from his exploring tour.

1832.

May. Capture of Acre by Ibrahim Pasha, aided by the Emir Bcshir.
June. Mr. Tod's visit to Canobin, to ascertain the fate of Asaad el Shidiak.
Sept 10. Gregory Wortabet died at Sidon.

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NOLOGICAL VIEW. 23

1833.

^ Feb. 24. Rev. William M. Thomson, and Mrs. Eliza N. Thomson, Asa Dodge,
~ M.D., and Mrs. Martha W. Dodge, arrived at Beirut

ApriL Mr. Bird's letters in reply to Bishop Butrus printed this summer
in Malta.

1834.

Jan. 28. Mr. and Mrs. Sarah L. Smith arrived at Beirut, having left Boston
Sept. 21st.

April. Mr. Thomson removed to Jerusalem with his fomily. School for
girls commenced in Beirut, under care of Mrs. Smith, and at
Aaleih, under Mrs. Dodge.

May. Civil war broko out while Mr. Thomson was at Jaffa, separating him
from his family for two months. Meanwhile, Mrs. T. was sick, and

July 22. 12 days after his return, died at Jerusalem. Mr. Thomson returned to
Beirut. This summer Messrs. Smith and Dodge explored as far as
Damascus and the river Jabbok, and Commodore Patterson visited
Beirut in the Delaware, as an act of friendliness to the mission.

Nov. 1. Messrs. Dodge and Whiting stationed at Jerusalem.

Dec. 11. Rev. Lorenzo Pease and Mrs. Lucinda Pease arrived at Larnica, in
Cyprus, having left Boston Aug. 20.

Jan. 28. Asa Dodge, M.D., died at Jerusalem.
Aug. Mr. Bird left for Smyrna, on account of health of Mrs. B.
Aug. 3. Mr. W. M. Thomson married to Mrs. Maria Abbott
Nov. 13. Miss Rebecca W. Williams arrived in Beirut.

Dec. Seminary for boys commenced with 6 pupils. This year, many Druzes
desired to be baptized, in order to avoid conscription for the Egyp-
tian army ; but early in 1836, all fell off except Kassim, who
remained faithful even in expectation of death as an apostate from
the Koran.

March. Kassim released from prison.

Mar. 14. Rev. Jolin F. Lanneau, Rev. Story Hebard, Rev. James L. Thomson,

and Miss Betsey Tildcn, arrived at Beirut
May. Mr. Lanneau sent to Jerusalem, and Mr. J. L. Thomson to Larnira.
June 11. Mr. and Mrs. Smith sailed for Smyrna. Wrecked on tho 14th.

Arrived at Smyrna July 13.
July 31. Mr. and Mrs. Bird left Smyrna. Arrived at Boston Oct 15.
Sep"t.30. Mrs. Sarah Lanman Smith died at Boojah, near Smyrna.
Oct 6. Mr. S. Hebard married to Miss R. W. Williams.
Oct 28. Rev. Daniel Ladd and Mrs. Charlotte II. Ladd arrived at Larnica,

having sailed from Boston July 16.

1837.

May 8. In Cyprus the high-school of 17 pupils, and two Lancastrian schools
having 200 pupils, were closed, but reopened at the expense of the
people. 235 churches in the island were supplied with Bibles.

1838.

Jan.-Jul. Mr. Smith traveling with E. Robinson, D.D., in Egypt, Arabia, and
Palestine.

Jan. 1. Kassim and wife received into the Church.
July 19. Mr. and Mrs. Whiting arrived at Boston, on a visit to the U. S.
Nov. 11. Two Druzes, two Greeks, one Latin, and one Greek Papist received
into tho church. 15 boarding-scholars in the Seminary this year.

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24

THE SYRIA MISSION.

1839.

Chapol opened in Beirut for Arabic preaching.
Oct. 15. Rev. Elias R. Beadle and Mrs. Hannah J. Beadle arrived at Beirut.
Oct. 24. Rev. Charles S. Sherman and Mrs. Martha E. Sherman arrived at
Jerusalem.

1840.

Feb. 8. Mrs. R. W. Hebard died at Beirut Mr. Hebard soon left for Smyrna.
April 2. Mr. and Mrs. Whiting returned, with Rev. Messrs. Nathaniel A.

Keyes, Samuel Wolcott and Leander Thomson, and Mrs. Mary

Kcycs, Mrs. Catharine E. Wolcott, and Mrs. Anne E. Thomson ;

also Cornelius V. A. Van Dyck, M.D.
May 7-June 5. Messrs. Thomson, Beadle, and Van Dyck explore Northern

Syria.

June 11. Mr. Lanneau left for Paris and the United States.

July 1. Messrs. Beadle, Keyes, L. Thomson, and families, with Miss Tilden

go to Jerusalem. Dr. Van Dyck soon follows them.
Aug. 14. English fleet arrived under Sir Charles Napier.
Sept 8. Missionaries went on board the Cyano. Reached Cyprus, 18th.
Sept. 10. Bombardment of Beirut begun.

Oct. 10. Mr. Wolcott returned from Cyprus. British then landing. Mission
property all safe.

Nov. This year, Cyprus was transferred to the Mission in Turkey. BAtrus
el Bistany from Maronite College of Ainwarka, employed as teacher
in the Seminary, now numbering 44 pupils.

1841.

Apr. 15. Mr. George C. Hurter, Printer, and Mrs. Elizabeth Hurter, arrived

bringing the new Arabic type.
April 24. Mr. and Mrs. Beadle went to Aleppo with Messrs. Hinsdale and

Mitchell.

April 27. Mr. and Mrs. Maria W. Smith sailed from Boston. Arrived at Beirut
June 24.

June 15. Printing-office commenced operations.

June 30. Rev. Story Hebard died at Malta, having left Beirut April 25.
Oct 26. Mrs. Catharine E. Wolcott died at Beirut.

Nov. War between Druzes and Maronites. Maronite patriarch driven from
Canobin. Many refugees fed and lodged by the mission. Seminary
81 pupils, 17 of them boarders. 9 schools with 262 pupils. Girls'
school of 25, and Druze High-school in Deir el Komr commenced
in June, broken up just before the war. Printed 686,000 pp.
0000 books and tracts distributed.

1842.

Mar. 28. Henry A. De Forest, M.D., and Mrs. Catharine S. De Forest, arrived
at Beirut.

July 1, Mr. and Mrs. Sherman returned to U. S. A.-
July 27. Mrs. Maria W. Smith died in Beirut.
Aug. The Seminary was suspended, having then 24 pupils.
Sept 27. Mr. and Mrs. Beadle returned to U. S. A. In 12 schools 279 pupils,
of whom 52 were girls. 12 female boarding-scholars in mission fami-
lies. 11 members in the church. Printing 10,000 copies, 1,708,000
pages. Whole number of pages, from beginning, 71,850,000.
Books and tracts circulated, 21,181.

1843.

Jan. 2. Mr. Wolcott and W. H. Thomson returned to U. S. A.
Jan. 13. Mr. and Mrs. Julia H. Lanneau arrived at Smyrna.
Feb. 20. Failure of attempt to abduct Rahil by force. Established right ol
members of native churches to become Protestants.

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CHRONOLOGICAL VIEW.

25

Mar. 1. Mr. and Mrs. L. Thomson, and Miss Tilden, returned to IT. S. A.
This year Jerusalem was given up, in order to occupy Abcih.

June 20. Messrs. Thomson and Van Dyck removed there. Regular preach-
ing every Sabbath in house of Mr. Thomson. In 18 schools, 488
scholars. £leven young ladies in mission families. Printed
13,000 copies, and 1,282,000 pp. 9241 volumes distributed.

Feb 26. Fifty men from Hasbeiya applied for instruction, soon increased to
152. Elias Fuaz and Butrfis Bistany sent there.

March. Dr. Anderson, in company with Dr. Hawes, spend a month in Syria.

May 0. Messrs. Smith and Whiting visit Hasbeiya,

May 10. Protestants there refuse to join in a political demonstration on first
Sabbath.

July 3. Full exposition of the spiritual nature of the Church, and reasons
why ordinances are not to be administered indiscriminately, given
by Mr. Smith.

July 4. Assent of the people given to these views so trying to them. 82
men and 104 women and children willing to be publicly recognized
as Protestants.

July 15. Spontaneous covenant to stand by each other till death, signed by 70
men in view of an expected attack from Zahleh.

July 16. Mr. Thomson came to llasbeiya; also 30 horsemen from Zahleh.

July 28. Rev. Simeon H. Calhoun arrived at Beirut from Smyrna.

July 29. Armed men sent written order to the leader of the Protestants to
leave the pla«e, on penalty of death if he refused. The Protestants
immediately fled to Abeih, and remained there till October, under
religious instruction.

Aug. 16. Mr. and Mrs. Keyes arrived in U. S. A. Left Beirut April 5.

Oct 14. Hasbeiyans returned to their homes, and the Greek Patriarch arrived
the same day from Damascus to effect their return to the Grrcek
Church.

This autumn, Mr. "Whiting removed to Abcih.
Dec 11. Rev. Thomas Laurie* arrived in Beirut from Mosul.
Dec. 15. Elias Fuaz stoned and severely wounded in llasbeiya. Houses of

the Protestants attacked ; every one who was seen in the streets

was stoned.

Dec. 19. Second flight to Abeih. Seven schools, with 290 scholars, more re-
mote ones having been abandoned. Printed 2000 copies, 132,000
pages; in all, 73,264,000 pages. Press stopped in April, that
more preaching might be done.

1845.

March 5. Mr. Smith left for America.
April 30. Civil war broke out again in Lebanon.
May 9. Battle at Abeih ; truce brought about by Mr. Thomson.
May 10. Maronite and Greek Bishops of Beirut ordered their people to pro-
tect the American missionaries.
May 18. Lebanon covered with the smoke of burning villages.
May 20. Cessation of hostilities through Consular intervention.
Sept. 23. Missionaries ordered down from Abcih by Chekib Effendi.
Sept 29. Missionaries came down accordingly.
Oct 28. Yakob Aga died at Beirut

Dec. Missionaries returned to Abeih. In 12 schools, 606 pupils ; 182 of
them girls. Printed 3500 copies ; 314,500 pages ; 73,57M.500 pages
in alL This year a chapel finished and occupied in Abeih.

1846.

Jan. 14. Dr. Van Dyck ordained to the work of the ministry.
Feb. 17. Mr. Lanneau left for U. S. A.

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26

THE SYRIA MISSION.

Native helpers sent to Hasbeiya.
Mr. Laurie returned to U. S. A.

Girls' school opened in Abeih in the family of Mr. Whiting.
New Seminary opened at Abeih under Dr. Van Dyek, on a more strictly
missionary basis, with eight pupils, boarders. In 18 schools 528
pupils, of whom 138 were girls. Printed 5400 copies, 283,500 pp.

1847.

Jan. 12. Mr. and Mrs. (Henrietta S.) Smith arrived. Left Boston Nov. 5.
Feb. 14. Mr. Calhoun left for U. S. A.

March 1. Fetwa from the Mufti of Beirut, deciding that Druzes are infidels, and
therefore not liable to death for apostasy from lslamism.

March 7. John Wortabct received into the church.

Aug. 1. Seven others received, of whom 3 were Hasbeiyans.

Same month, 2 young ladies in the family of Dr. De Forest

Oct 20. Rev. William A. Benton and Mrs. Loanza G. Benton landed at Beirut
This spring the Protestants of Hasbeiya sent a deputation to Con-
stantinople, who secured a promise of protection from government
without any help from ambassadors, though a copy was sent after-
ward to the British Ambassador, at his request In 13 schools, 625
pupils, of whom 163 were girls. Printed 2700 copies; 793,800
pages; in all, from the first, 74,755,800 pages.

1848.

January. The Emir of Hasbeiya promised protection to Protestants.
Feb. 9. Petition for organization of a native church sent to the mission.
March 8. Rev. David M. Wilson and Mrs. Emcliue Wilson, Rev. Jon. E. Ford

and Mrs. Mary Ford, arrived, having left Boston Dec 29th.
Mar. 31. Church organized of 19 members, 4 of them women.
April 2. Tannus el Haddad and Elias Fuaz ordained deacons.
April 19. Messrs. Benton and Ford, with John Wortabct arrived at Aleppo to

form a station there, having left Beirut April 10th.
Aug. 24. Rev. Horace Foote and Mrs. Roxana Footc arrived.
Oct 4. Annual examination of Seminary ; new class of 7 added
Nov. 16. Messrs. Wilson and Foote remove to the port of Tripoli.
Dec. Dr. Michael Meshakah, of Damascus, avows himself a Protestant

This year arrangements were completed fcr translating the Bible.

The church at Beirut contained 26 members. In 10 schools were

285 pupils, of which 55 were girls. Dr. De Forest had 7 young

ladies in his family. Printed 5500 copies ; 1,010,000 pp. ; in all,

75,765,800 pages.

1849.

January. Greek Patriarch driven from Beirut for trying to ordain an unpopular

bishop.

March 6. Rev. Wm. F. Williams and Mrs. Sarah Williams, Mr. Calhoun and
Mrs. Emily P. Calhoun, arrived in Beirut Favorable openings at
Sidon, at Bcskinta, and back of Tripoli.

May 17. Messrs. Thomson and De Forest arrived at Hasbeiya with their wive?.
The first visit of missionary ladies to that place.

July 27. Mr. Wilson driven by force from his hired house in Ehden. Six
months after, $70 damages awarded, and guarantee of protec-
tion wherever he could hire a house in any part of the mountain.

Oct. 11-Nov. 22. Journey of Mr. Ford to Mosul from Aleppo. Three pupils
were expelled from the Seminary this summer for misconduct Mr.
Smith commenced the translation of the Bible into Arabic, with
Butrus Bistany for assistant Dr. De Forest this year had 13 pu-
pils in his family ; Mr. Whiting, 5 ; the church in fieirut, 27 mem-
bers, 10 of them from the Greek church, 4 Papal Greeks, 4 Maron-

April 2.
May 9.
Aug.
Nov. 4.

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CHRONOLOGICAL VIEW. 27

ites, 6 Armenians, 3 Druzes, and one Jacobite. In 10 schools were
271 pupils. Printed 8000 copies ; 1,934,000 pp. ; in all, 77,699,-
800. This year, two of the native brethren were sent out on mis-
sionary tours to Sidon and Hasbeiya, at the expense of the native
church. Mr. Calhoun became connected with the Seminary.

1850.

April 10. Mr. Ford left Mosul for Aleppo.

June 15. Mr. and Mrs. Thomson sailed from Boston. Arrived in Beirut, Aug. 5.
"~" June 29-Julv 25. Messrs. Whiting and Williams at llasbeiya.

Sept 5-1 9. Messrs. Thomson and Van Dyck at llasbeiya.

Oct 16-17. Insurrection in Aleppo. Crushed Nov. 5th and 6th.

Nov. $20 given by 19 pupils of Seminary for missions, and $31 by 17 pu-
pils of Female Seminary. 400 piastres sent by the Church to the
Nestorian field, and 1000 given for printing Arabic tract In the
autumn, Mr. Whiting was transferred to Beirut

Dec. Mr. Thomson in Hasbeiya. Printed 3200 copies ; 966,240 pp. ; in
all 78,666,040 pages.

1851.

March 2. Mr. and Mrs. Benton arrived from Aleppo.

Mar. 31. Mr. and Mrs. Williams and Salome left for Mosul.

ApriL John Wortabet stationed at Hasbeiya.

May 2. Miss Anna L. Whittlesey arrived, as teacher for Female Seminary.
June 16. Mr. and Mrs. Benton left for U. S. A.
July 10. Commenced casting the third font of Arabic type.
July 15. Church organized at llasbeiya of 16 members, 5 of them females.
Oct 9. Mr. Thomson at Hasbeiya. Near close of the year preaching com-
/ menced at Kefir Shima, In 11 schools, 245 scholars. Printed 3320

copies ; 1,285,680 pages.

1852.

Jan. 81. Rev. William W. Eddy and Mrs. H. M. Eddy arrived at Beirut

March. Church in Beirut had 26 members, and at Hasbeiya, 25.

April 5. Mr. Smith left to visit Palestine with Dr. Robinson.

April 14. Mr. Eddy removed to Aleppo.

May 1. Miss Anna L. Whittlesey died in Beirut

May 22. Mr. Smith returned from Palestine.

June 13. Church organized at Aleppo of six members.

Sept 15. Church organized at Abeih of eight members. In 15 schools, 458 pu-
pils, 49 of them girls. Printed 9600 copies; 1,671,900 pages.

1853.

Feb. 26. Mr. and Mrs. Benton returned to Beirut
Mar. 27. J. Wortabet ordained as an Evangelist
April 7. Dr. and Mrs. Van Dyck left for the U. S. A.

April 20. Rev. Wm. Bird, Mrs. Sarah F. Bird, and Miss Sarah Cheney, arrived
at Smyrna.

April 25. Steam press received from Smyrna.

Dec 31. 5000 piastres given this year by English congregation for fitting
up the chapel in Beirut Church at Beirut gave 1000 piastres, and
at Hasbeiya 700 do., to send Bibles to China. In 21 schools, 568
pupils. Printed 7000 copies; 1,083,000 pages.

1854.

May 8. Dr. and Mrs. De Forest returned to U. S. A., and Female Seminary
closed.

June 12. Commenced printing new translation of Genesis.

July 24. Dr. and Mrs. Van Dyck sailed from Boston. Arrived Sept 24.

Sept. Messrs. Wilson and Eddy visited Horns.

Dec. 24. Mrs. Roxana Foote died at sea near New- York. A church-building
erected this year at Hasbeiya. In 26 schools, 772 scholars.

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28

THE SYRIA MISSION.

Feb. 25.
April.
Oct 25.
Nov. 8.
Nov. 11.
Dec. 24.
Dec.

1855.

Rev. Jerre L Lyons and Mrs. Catharine N. LyonB arrived in Beirut
Bhamdun made a station, and Mr. Benton stationed there.
Mr. Wilson left Tripoli for Horns.
Rev. George B. Whiting died at BeirAt
Messrs. Ford and Eddy removed from Aleppo to Beirut
Rev. Edward Aiken and Mrs. Susan D. Aiken landed at Beirut
Persecution at Alma, near Sidon. The church at Hasbeiya this year
numbered 29 j 5 were received at Abeih and 3 at Beirut This year
Northern Syria given up to the Armenian Missions, and a station
established at Deir el Komr, under Mr. Bird In 25 schools, 836
Printed 13,500 copies; 1,078,800 pages.

Jan. 19.
Feb. 1.
Feb. 7.

Feb.
Mar. 14.
Apr. 23.

June.

June 20.
Aug. 1.
October.

Commenced printing the New Testament
Mr. and Mrs. Eddy removed to Kcfr Shima.
Rev. Henry H. Jessup, Rev. Daniel Bliss and Mrs. Abby M. Bliss,
riven.

Revival in Seminary at Abeih.
Mrs. Whiting left for U. S. A.

Mr. Jessup and Mr. and Mrs. Lyons left for Tripoli, and Mr. and Mrs.
Aiken for Horns.

Church of seven members formed at Sidon ; four added during the
year.

Mrs. Susan D. Aiken died at Horns.
Messrs. Wilson and Aiken left Horns.

Female Seminary reopened by Miss Cheney, with eight pupils. Thir-
tv-four schools, containing 1068 pupils, 266 of them girls. Printed
14,400 copies ; 1,449,200 pages.

1857.

Dr. Van Dyck appointed to carry

Jan. 11. Eli Smith, D.D., died in Beirut
on the translation of the Bible.

Apr. 20. Seven received into the church at Alma.

June 4. Mr. and Mrs. Thomson left for U. S. A.
Mr. Wilson spent summer at Homs.

July 22. Mr. Aiken and Miss Cheney united in marriage.

August Successful stand for religious freedom in Aramon by Mr. Calhoun.

Sept Mr. Eddy sent to Sidon, and Mr. Aiken to Kefr Shima.

Nov. Dr. Van Dyck removed to Beirut Five received into the church this
year at Beirut and six at Abeih. The mission had 9 stations, 16
regular places for preaching, 4 churches with 75 members, and 30
schools with 1020 pupils, 277 of them girls; printing 2,569,000 pp.

1858.

January. At Alma, out of 500 inhabitants, 40 Protestants and 9 church mem-
bers.

Apr. 26. Mr. and Mrs. (Caroline) Jessup arrived at Tripoli.
May L Mr. and Mrs. Aiken left for U. S. A.

May. Moslem inquirer from Bagdad rescued from Jesuits and sent to Malta.

Persecution at Alma and Cana.
Aug. 31. Misses Amelia C. Temple and Jane E. Johnson arrived at Beirut
Oct 24. Chapel opened in Tripoli, and, Nov. 7, church dedicated at Alma. In

82 schools, 1065 pupils, 268 of them girls. Printed 2,258,000 pp.

1858.

Mar. 15. Miss Johnson loft for U. S. A.

May 13. Mr. Benton driven from Zahlch by the natives.

June 23. Dr. Thomson arrived at Beirut from U. S. A.

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CHRONOLOGICAL VIEW. 29

July 6. Printed first sheet of pocket edition of New Testament. Between Jan-
uary and July, 19 added to the churches. In 33 schools, 9G7 pu-
pils, 176 of them girls. Printed 3,638,000 pages.

1860.

Feb. 11. Miss Adelaide L. Mason arrived at Beirut

Mar. 29. Finished printing the New Testament, with references, and in April,
a pocket edition.

May 30. 250 refugees from the massacre in the girls' school-house at Beirut.
May 31. Mr. and Mrs. Jcssup, Miss Temple, and nine members of the Female

Seminary, came down from Suk el Ghurb.
June 2. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss, Miss Mason, and the rest, came down safely.
June 7. Female Seminary dismissed after one week's trial in Beirut.
June 26. Mr. and Mrs. Eddy left for U. S. A.
June 27. Seminary dismissed on account of the war.
July 5. Mr. and Mrs. Bird left for U. S. A.
Aug. 16. First installment of French troops landed.
Aug. 25. 300 prisoners arrived from Damascus.
Sept. 21. Nine Druze Sheikhs arrested.
Sept 25. French troops sent to the mountain.

Dec. 7. Commenced printing voweled edition of New Testament At close of
the year, the Old Testament, as far as Numbers, was ready for the
press. In 27 schools, 824 pupils, 192 of them girls. Printed
4,401,160 pp. ; in all, 227,640 copies, and 112,825,780 pages.

1861.

May 4. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson left for U. S. A.

May 29. First portion of French troops embarked for France.

June 7. Mrs. Hurtcr and family left for U. S. A.

Oct 19. Mr. Hurter left for U. S. A. Arrived in Boston Nov. 28th.

The Station Reports for 1861 have come to hand at the last moment, as these
pages are in press. They testify to sad desolations from the civil war and dis-
turbed political condition of the country, and to the weakened strength of the
mission ; but they also speak of enlarged congregations at the principal sta-
tions, and many tokens of increasing spiritual prosperity. Enemies are put-
ting forth unwonted efforts in opposition ; but the conflict is turning to the
advantage of truth. Considerable additions have recently been or are soon to
be made to the membership of the Abcih, Sidon, and Cana churches. Native
missionary societies have been formed. The latest intelligence is, that 250
persons have just declared themselves Protestants at Horns, and more than
100 in Cana. Many pressing petitions for religious instruction are coming in
from different places. "The harvest," writes Mr. Jossup, "is whitening, but
alas ! the laborers are few."

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DR. MESHAKAH OF DAMASCUS.

The Bibliotheca. Satra, for October, 1853, contains a translation of one of Dr.
Meshakah's treatises entitled, An Argument on the Weakness of Man ; being an
able discussion of skepticism. A sketch of the author is prefixed, from which
we take the following paragraphs :

Mikhael Meshakah was born in Damascus in the year 1800, and by birth
and baptism was a member of the Greek Catholic Church, which is the name
of that portion of the ancient Eastern church that has given in its adhesion to
the Pope of Rome. He was descended from a noble family, and his father held
an honorable office under the government of Mount Lebanon. At the age of
fourteen, under the tuition of a relative who had been taught by the French, in
Egypt, under Bonaparte, ho made considerable proficiency in algebra, geometry,
astronomy, and the natural sciences.

This education, while it elevated his views of the Creator, led him to despise
the unscriptural practices and traditionary errors of his sect ; and as he knew
nothing of a spiritual Christianity, he learned to look upon all religion as a con-
trivance of the more intelligent to secure the control of the ignorant masses.
The result of an examination of the books of the various sects around him, was
the conviction that all were alike corrupt, and that nothing more was required
of him than that, rising above the empty show got up to impress the vulgar, he
should be upright and benevolent according to the light of nature. Still, to avoid
offense, he attended church and conformed externally to ecclesiastical require-
ments.

In 1821, Jonas King, D.D , was the guest of his father, in Deir el Komr, the
capital of Mount Lebanon ; but though the missionary conversed much with
others, he seems to have overlooked Meshakah, who did not dare to bring for-
ward his own difficulties lest he should be shunned as an infidel by the bigots
of the town. While the arguments addressed to them wholly failed to meet his
case, still the intelligence and kind forbearance of the missionary with their ig-
norance and rudeness, as compared with the spirit of the native priests, did not
fail to be observed and to leave a good impression.

It was some time after this, and when he had again returned to Damascus,
where he has since been engaged in the practice of medicine with great success,
that among other issues of the mission presses at Malta, a translation of Keith
on the Prophecies fell into his hands. At first he was disposed to laugh at the
idea of any one soberly undertaking to defend a system so full of falsehood and
folly as that which he had hitherto known as the Christian religion. The pre-
face, however, disposed him to read the book with candor ; and, with his Bible
lying open before him, constantly turning to every passage referred to, he stu-
died the book through three times in the course of a single month. Nor did he
leave it till he was fully satisfied that the Bible was an inspired revelation from
God. lie now saw the danger of the path in which he had been straying,

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APPENDIX.

31

and thanked God that instead of cutting him off in his unbelief, He had, by
means of this book, rescued him forever from its power. He longed also to see
the author that he might tell him in person how much he owed him. This last
wish was gratified, when, in a subsequent visit to Syria, Dr. Keith became his
guest in Damascus.

But though satisfied that the Christian religion was from God, he was still
at a loss to know precisely what that religion is. Like many others, he was
much perplexed by the multiplicity of sects, though the difficulty presented
itself to him in a different light from that in which it usually appears with us.
He saw one part of the Papal church selecting a saint to be its special interces-
sor with God, who was counted a son of perdition by another portion of the
same church. Different sects, too, claimed the authority of the same fathers of
the church for opinions and practices very far apart, if not directly opposed to
one another.

In this state of mind, desiring light from all quarters, he providentially be-
came acquainted with some of our missionaries ; and having collected the pub-
lications of our mission press, that had been removed from Malta to Beirut, he
carefully compared them with Papal works written on the other side. The
result was, that he found every thing which had formerly led him to despise
and renounce Christianity, was not Christianity itself, but the unauthorized ad-
ditions that had been made to it by men ; while the religion of the Bible, apart
from these human additions, was every way worthy of its Author. Still desirous
to know the truth, and fearful of being led astray, he made known some of his
difficulties to the most learned dignitaries of his own church, and their replies
were so manifestly contradictory to Scripture, that after much internal conflict,
he felt constrained to leavo them ; and notwithstanding the odium of such a
step in tradition-loving Damascus, took firm and decided ground in favor of the
religion of the Bible. Accordingly, Dec. 14, 1848, we find him writing to his
dear friend, the late Eli Smith, D.D., "that his mental distress continually in-
creased, and he sudied the Bible day and night, yet could find no peace except
in resolving openly to profess his attachment to the truth, which ho soon did
without the least reserve.'' His letters, at this time, to Dr. Smith, breathe the
spirit of a little child, humble and self-distrustful, yet firm and decided in his
adherence to what he felt was the cause of God and truth. Of course his ene-
mies were not idle. Such a man could not be allowed to stand up for evangel-
ical religion, if any effort could put him down ; and no means were left untried.
lie was constantly harassed by the visits of ecclesiastics, singly and often by
whole companies at once, of the members of his former church, to argue or to
beseech him to return to the fold. At one time he asked them why they did
not devote some of the labor they bestowed upon him to recover those who had
apostatized to Mohammedanism, and was told that if ho had become a Moslem,
that would have been a lighter affair, for then he would not have injured their
Church so much as now. This, with the controversy into which he was drawn
with his patriarch Maximus, brought on a brain-fever, which for a time drove
reason from her throne. But, to quote his own words in a letter to Dr. Smith,
written on his sick-bed, " by the prescriptions of one of my medical scholars,
God saw fit to give me relief, and I became convalescent To-day there re-
mains only weakness, which prevents me from rising. May God, in answer to

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32

APPENDIX.

your prayers, restore me to health, that I may finish the work which I have
begun, lest it should come to naught and the enemies of the Gospel triumph."

January 27, 1849, Dr. Smith writes to America : " Dr. M. has openly de-
clared himself a Protestant ; this has brought on a controversy between him
and his former patriarch ; and as he is probably the most intelligent native lay-
man in the country, and the patriarch the most learned ecclesiastic, intense at-
tention is directed from all quarters to the discussion. In the mean time our
correspondence is frequent and full ; and as my letters to him require investi-
gation, not of the Bible only, but of the Fathers also, aro long and written in
Arabic, they take up no little time ; but I have never had more delightful work,
nor any from which I hoped for more important results. He favors me with a
copy of all the correspondence between him and his antagonist, and also of his
journal. The whole is deeply interesting, both from the ability displayed and
the deep Christian sincerity that animates him. Every word of the documents
in my hand deserves to be translated and printed at home."

Dr. Meshakah, as soon as possible, prepared a treatise, addressed to his
countrymen, explaining the reasons of his secession from Rome, and setting
forth the corruption of her doctrines and practices, which was published at the
mission press in Beirut, 1849, pp. 824.

In this work, after an account of his own religious history and the corre-
spondence already referred to quoted in full, he goes on to disprove the suprem-
acy of the Pope, the existence of any other priesthood or sacrifice but that of
Christ ; shows that the early church had only two officers, namely, presbyters
and deacons ; overturns the foundations of transubstantiation, the worship of
images, prayers to saints and angels, the confessional, purgatory, the claim of
the Pope to bo the only authorized interpreter of Scripture, prayers in an un-
known tongue, and the doctrine of justification by works. He then exp^mi^s .
the doctrine of regeneration, sets forth the antiquity of the Protestant cbAigt^aff^,
compared with the more recent origin of the Papacy, exposes the inte^ewnB^:
of the Popes with secular governments, vindicates the right of all men^bnjjtq.
the Scriptures, and closes the whole with an earnest, practical appeal 'm^Ims
brethren and friends. ' L

Dr. Smith says of the book : "It is well and thoroughly argued ; sometimes
most impressively solemn, at others, keenly sarcastic ; and throughout, both
spirited and fearless. It is a remarkable production. I am strongly tempted to
undertake its translation, had I only the time and strength."

The lamented Whiting, in writing an account of several members of
the mission church, June 10, 1852, says : " The next is Dr. M. of Damascus,
whose conversion was certainly ono of the most important that has occurred
here sinco the mission was established ; for general intelligence and weight of
character, he lias no superior among the native population ; he is by far the
best native physician and the ablest writer in Syria. His work on the errors
of the Roman and Greek churches, for force and attractiveness of style, will
compare with the Letters of Rirwan ; and his writings will be read in spite of
the anathemas of all the hierarchies in the land."

In 1852 he published a reply to animadversions on his former work, under
the title of The Answer of the Goepel Men to the Vanitie* of the Traditioniste.
Pp. 115.

TERRIBLE 'THINGS IN RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Dr. Kino, writing from Athens, refers to the late terrible war of the Druzes
against the Maronites in Syria, and says : " Do you remember the history of
Asaid-Esh-Shidiak, as published many years ago by the American Board r
Once they led him out from his little cell or dungeon, and presented to him
o'i the one hand an image of tha Virgin Mary, and burning coals on the other,
and ordered him to embrace either the one or the other ! He took the coals
and pressed them to his lips, and returned to his narrow, filthy prison to die.
I hose coals have now kindled a flame on Mount Lebanon which has consumed
all the villages and habitations of his persecutors ! 1 Terrible things in right-
eousness.' An avenging God is a consuming fire."

INFLUENCE OF THE MISSION.

Hon. James Williams, late Minister of the United States at Constantinople,
alter a visit to Syria, wrote thus in reply to an address from the missionaries,
under dale of Feb. 6, I860 :

"It lias been my good fortune to become personally acquainted with a ma-
jority of the American missionaries in the Turkish cmj ire, and with others I
have been brought into communication in the discharge of my official duties.
Eminent alike for their virtues, their intelligence, and their prudence, they arc,
collectively and individually, an honor to the country which claims them as her
citizens. In their lives they exemplify the virtues which they teach to others,
and thus, by precept and example, win the esteem of even those who oppose
the accomplishment of their purposes.

" Superficial observers, who < stimate the value of their services to the cause
of humanity and true religion by the number of their 4 converts,' know but
little of the real field of usefulness in which they are sowing seeds which v. ill
one day spring up for the harvest From my own observation, I most coi d ; ally
concur in the opinion which was expressed to md by a high dignitary of a
church which does not regard their doctrines with a favorable eye, to the ef-
fect that the American missionaries had contributed more to the literary and
moral advancement of, and to the diffusion of useful knowledge in, the Turkish
empire, than had been accomplished by all others during half a century."

Among the Valuable products of the mission in the English language, are
The Land ami (he Jiooi; by Rev. VV. M. Thomson, D.D., and The Memoir of
ifn>. .Surah Lanman Smith.

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